As winter approaches and temperatures drop sharply, the safe operation of laser equipment faces new challenges. Bycarecently issued the Winter Anti-Freezing Guide for Laser Systems, reminding users to take precautions to protect lasers and chillers from freezing, which could lead to equipment damage and significant financial losses.
Why Anti-Freezing Measures Are Necessary
If the cooling water inside a laser freezes, the resulting expansion in volume may cause pipeline ruptures, damaging core components and incurring high repair costs. Bycaemphasizes that the operating environment temperature for lasers should be maintained between 5°C and 45°C. If the temperature falls below 0°C and the equipment remains idle for an extended period, the risk of cooling water freezing increases significantly.
High-Risk Scenarios for Freezing
Unheated Environments: Temperatures below 0°C with prolonged laser inactivity.
Holiday Shutdowns: For example, during the Spring Festival, when factories cut off heating and power, leaving equipment unprotected.
Outdoor Installation: Chillers placed outdoors are more vulnerable to low temperatures.
Detailed Anti-Freezing Measures
To ensure equipment safety in winter, Bycarecommends the following solutions:
Maintain Ambient Temperature: Keep the equipment area above 0°C.
Keep Equipment Running: If possible, keep the laser and chiller powered on to maintain water circulation and prevent freezing.
Complete Drainage: If long-term shutdown is unavoidable, fully drain the cooling water using these steps:
Drain the Chiller: Empty the water tank first, then use compressed air (pressure < 3.5 Bar) to blow through the inlet and outlet ports to remove residual water in the pipelines.
Treat the Deionization Tank: Disconnect the quick-connect hoses and use compressed air to blow out any remaining water to prevent cracking.
Clear the Laser’s Water Channels: Remove the inlet and outlet hoses and blow dry the internal water passages with compressed air.
Drain External Pipes: Ensure all connected hoses are completely emptied.
Special Note: Users of Riedel chillers must bleed the water pump after refilling post-shutdown; otherwise, the pump may be damaged.
Conclusion
Winter anti-freezing measures are a critical part of laser equipment maintenance. Bycaadvises users to implement protective measures in advance to prevent low-temperature-related failures and ensure smooth production operations. For further technical support, please contact Bystronic Laser’s after-sales service team.